To Adult Games Sections , Adult mentors and Adult Players
I have been asked on a number of occasions recently as to the Club’s
policy on dual players.
The Club’s policy on dual players hasn’t changed. The Club encourages
players to play both codes and is supportive of players who wish to do
so. This approach was endorsed when the Club carried out a survey of
players and members for the Strategic Review Challenge 2020. The
overwhelming view of players and members was that playing of both
codes should be encouraged and supported.
The practical implementation of this policy is that, no different than
if a player is on more than one panel in the one code, where there
are dual players on the panels, the managers of the respective teams
must put the interests of the players first and cooperate with each
other to ensure that the players are treated with respect and not put
in the unfair position of having to choose between training
sessions/matches or in any way feeling under pressure. It is the
managers responsibility to ensure through ongoing respectful
communication and dialogue that an agreed arrrangement for training
/matches is arrived and communicated in a clear manner to the
respective players.
The success of Ballyboden St. Endas in all codes over the years has
been due in no small part to the contribution of dual players in all
grades and codes and this is something which needs to continue. This
has been achieved through a willingness of Club mentors to act in the
the best interests of the Club and not in the exclusive interests of
their own team.
Every team is a Club team and will be there much longer than
any mentor.
The interests of players are paramount. The club has a structure in
place whereby it has an active or recently retired player as Player
Representative on the Club Executive. The current Player
representative is Conor Dolan. Any player who has an issue which they
feel is not being addressed to their satisfaction should bring it to
Conor’s attention and he will ensure follow up .
Where there is goodwill and acceptance of Club policy on dual players,
it is expected that mentors should be able to come to an acceptable
arrangement to the benefit of the players.If this cannot be achieved
it is to the ultimate detriment of the Club and can be addressed by
the relevant Games Section Officers through the Adult Games Executive
under the Chairmanship of Paddy Walsh as representative of the Club
Executive. The Adult Games Executive is a forum for the four games
sections to discuss and resolve issues of common interest.
Best wishes to all players and mentors on the playing fields in 2012.
Terry O’Neill
Club Chairman